The trip takes about three hours each day, and the treatment takes about five hours. 

“It would be a lot easier to go to Bowral Hospital, it would only be a quarter of an hour away,” Mr McCartney said.

Southern Highlands Renal Appeal members have raised about $700,000 for a renal dialysis unit at Bowral and District Hospital.

Appeal member Geoff Byrne wants to find out how many renal dialysis patients travel for treatment.

Mr Byrne said the number was difficult to quantify, as patients travelled to different local health districts.

“Our aim is to demonstrate there’s a real need, and save people who are travelling in the most arduous situations,” Mr Byrne said.

Bowral and District Hospital general manager Valerie Jovanovic said while there were no plans to establish a unit, the hospital provided care for patients that self-dialysed at home.

“​This service ensures that patients can access care if their home dialysis equipment malfunctions or they do not have the required equipment,” Ms Jovanovic said.

Please call 0417 474 833 to let the appeal group know if you or someone you know is travelling to a different area for renal dialysis.